IPS Pandian Has Insulted the Dignity and Rights of 50 Lakh Dalits of Gujarat: MLA Mevani

Ahmedabad — Jignesh Mevani, the MLA from Vadgam, Gujarat, has formally written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the immediate suspension of Rajkumar Pandian, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for SC/ST, over alleged misconduct during a recent meeting. Mevani accused Pandian of disrespectful and improper behavior when the MLA sought to raise the issue of illegal encroachment on Dalit land in the Kutch District.

In the letter addressed to Shah, Mevani recounted the events of October 15, when he, along with Hitendra Pitadiya, Chairperson of the SC Cell of the Indian National Congress (INC), visited Pandian’s office in Ahmedabad. The meeting was arranged to address the encroachment of land that had been allotted to Dalit families in the 1980s. According to Mevani, while the land was officially allocated, physical possession has never been ensured, leaving the Dalit beneficiaries vulnerable to exploitation.

The land dispute, as Mevani outlined in his letter, has been a festering issue for decades. Despite multiple official allocations on paper, Dalits in the region have been unable to take control of their land due to illegal encroachments. The tension escalated last year when two Dalit men were killed for attempting to access their own land. On Independence Day this year, Mevani made a public call for authorities to enforce possession, prompting the Revenue Department to act by documenting the encroachments.

However, despite the acknowledgment of the illegal occupation, the local authorities have failed to take concrete action. Mevani stated that his repeated requests to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kutch to address the situation under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were met with reluctance. The lack of response from both the SP and Range IG Chirag Koradiya led Mevani to seek an audience with ADGP Pandian.

Accusations of Disrespect and Misconduct

Mevani described the encounter with Pandian as hostile and dismissive. According to him, upon arrival at Pandian’s office, both he and Pitadiya were rudely ordered to leave their mobile phones outside without any legal justification. Mevani informed Pandian that, as an elected representative, protocol dictates that he should be treated with courtesy and respect. However, Pandian allegedly responded with anger, abruptly ending the meeting and refusing future appointments.

"I will not entertain you in the future; you will not be permitted to enter my office," Pandian reportedly told Mevani, as recounted in the letter. The ADGP also allegedly instructed his junior officers to forcibly remove Pitadiya from his office.

Mevani further claimed that Pandian made derogatory comments about his attire, specifically pointing out that Mevani was wearing a T-shirt to the meeting. The MLA interpreted this as an attempt to intimidate and belittle him, which he argued was completely inappropriate and unprofessional, particularly in the context of an important discussion about Dalit land rights.

Bureaucratic Arrogance and Dalit Dignity

In his letter, Mevani condemned Pandian’s behavior as emblematic of the bureaucratic arrogance that has hindered justice for marginalized communities. "With his behaviour, especially on the issue of land rights to Dalits, Rajkumar Pandian has not just misbehaved with an elected representative; more he has insulted the dignity, rights and esteem of 50 lakh Dalits of Gujarat. This is unquestionably unacceptable and intolerable", Mevani wrote. He emphasized that Pandian’s actions reflect a broader disregard for the issues facing Dalits, particularly in matters related to land ownership and rights.

The MLA also expressed concern about Pandian’s past, referencing his involvement in a fake encounter case, for which he spent seven years in jail before being discharged. Mevani suggested that this history, combined with the ADGP’s current behavior, raises serious concerns about his ability to serve in a position meant to protect vulnerable communities. Mevani explicitly stated that if any harm were to come to him or his associates, Pandian should be held accountable.

In light of the incident, Mevani has called on Amit Shah to intervene and instruct the concerned authorities to suspend or terminate Pandian. He further demanded that Pandian offer an unconditional apology to Gujarat's Dalit community for his conduct. The MLA argued that the credibility and integrity of the police department are at stake, and immediate action is necessary to restore public trust.

The Indian National Congress (INC), along with the Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch and several other Dalit rights organizations, has announced a protest on October 23, outside the ADGP's office. The protesters are demanding Pandian's suspension and a public apology for his behavior, as well as for the authorities to take swift action on the encroachment issue.